The storage period as well as disclosure of heath data in the context of the pandemic COVID – 19 – among the topics of interest discussed during the workshop organized by NCPDP in collaboration with TAIEX support

The storage period as well as the disclosure of health data in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic – among the topics of interest discussed during the workshop “Processing and protection of personal data in the field of public health in the context of possible global challenges! (COVID – 19 pandemic)”, conducted online over three days (January 26,27,28).

Denis Coțofan, Deputy Head of the Legal Department, NCPDP spoke during the event about the requirements of personal data protection legislation in the health sector at national level, the processing of special categories of personal data, as well as the legal grounds of the processing of health data. In this context, Mr. Coțofan answered the questions of the participants regarding the video surveillance in hospitals, the storage period of the information obtained after the video surveillance containing personal data, but also regarding the processing of health data in the context of the pandemic COVID-19. Furthermore, recommendations were presented for employees in the health sector in order to apply security measures related to the personal data protection.

Jelena Siminiati, Assistant Director of Legal Affairs Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, Croatia mentioned during the workshop about the EU experience on the legality of personal data processing  by the competent public authorities in the context of the pandemic COVID – 19, patients’ rights, obligation of confidentiality, as well as the balance between public health and security and the right to the personal data protection.

An important aspect in combating the pandemic COVID – 19, according to Mr. David Balla, Director of Reimbursement system, DRG Team, Ministry of Health, Slovakia, would be use of location data and contact tracing tools. Furthermore, Mr. Balla exposed himself on topics such as disclosure of personal data, data minimisation and storage limitation.

The workshop was moderated by personal data protection experts from Croatia, Slovakia and representatives of the NCPDP and was organized for three regions of the country: central, northern and southern. The event was attended by about 200 persons.

The workshop was organized and funded by the Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument of the European Commission (TAIEX).